RACISM AND SEXISM CO2 2ND QTR FY07

1
RACISM AND SEXISM(CO2)2ND QTR FY07

• SSG MCCARTNEY (PRIMARY)
• SGT OFFICER (SECONDARY)
• 221ST MILITARY POLICE DETACHMENT
• EQUAL OPPORTUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

2
Overview

• Define Racism and Sexism
• Identify factors in development of racism and
  sexism
• Identify relationship of power bases
• Identify examples of racist and sexist behaviors
• Identify strategies for combating racism and
  sexism

3
Racism and Sexism

• The transformation of prejudice, based on race
  or gender through the exercise of power and
  authority against the group defined as inferior
  by individuals and institutions or organizations
  with the intentional or unintentional support of
  the culture

4
Factors in Development of Racism and Sexism

• Contact
• People have migrated from areas to new areas
  since the beginning of time.
• These migrations have resulted in many contacts
  with different culture
• Social Visibility
• Society likes to categorize things, to include
  people
• Easiest way is the physical traits, skin color,
  eyes
• Cultural habits what we eat, celebrations
• It isnt uncommon for people to take the position
  that different means wrong

5
Factors in Development ofRacism and Sexism

• Unequal Power
• Whoever has the power can control the limited
  resources and make policies to their standards.
  The group in control develops a feeling of
  superiority
• Ethnocentrism
• Is the belief that ones own ethnic group is
  superior to all other groups. If this group holds
  the power (majority) then it can be even more
  damaging for minorities
• Competition
• Generally the group with the power gets the
  bigger piece

6
Factors in Development ofRacism and Sexism

• Stereotypes
• Once people come in contact with others, they
  make first impressions, and may develop
  stereotypes of that group.
• These stereotypes are learned and maintain
  prejudice
• Sex-Role Socialization
• The process by which males and females learn to
  display appropriate behavior for their sex
• Historical factor frequently omitted or distorted
  accomplishments of minorities and females
• Historians (both sexes) have examined the past
  through a traditional male perspective

7
Personal Racist and Sexist Behaviors

• Paternalism
• Takes the form of acting fatherly or
  over-protective of someone
• It may imply that the female can not do her job
  or survive without the man
• Ignoring - Not giving credibility to what is said
  by minorities or a female
• Speaking for - Not letting the person speak for
  themselves, you just know they cant state what
  really needs stated so you answer for them

8
Personal Racist and Sexist Behaviors

• Testimonials - I am not prejudice, some of my
  best friends are black or women or other
  minority
• Ethnic, Racist, Sexist Jokes - Continue to
  reinforce stereotypes
• Frequent Interruptions - Indicates that you dont
  take what someone is saying to be important
• Stereotypical Language - Women are just to
  emotional to handle the stress of this
  environment

9
Personal Racist and Sexist Behaviors

• Titles and Ranks
• Calling women or minorities by their first name
  and addressing majority (males) by rank
• Diminishes the importance of those called by
  first name
• Denying Opportunities
• Providing beneficial jobs to majority (blatant or
  indirect)
• Dubious Supervision
• Focusing on the problems or crimes of a
  particular group while ignoring the fact the
  majority may be doing the same things

10
Personal Racist and Sexist Behaviors

• Reference Groups
• Groups or associations with like attitudes and
  like values, KKK, NOI, other fraternal
  organizations
• Conformity to Norms
• Its easier to conform to the norms than to
  challenge an attitude
• Rewards/punishment
• People tend to get on the bus

11
Personal Racist and Sexist Behaviors

• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Influence the behavior of another person by
  expressing our expectations of that person
• If we assume that because someone is a minority,
  that they cant achieve the same level of
  competence as the majority, that is exactly what
  APPEARS to happens
• Pro-Sexism/Racism
• Accommodating sexist/racist behavior by
  reinforcing it rather than questioning, checking,
  or opposing it.
• Not as common today
• Example She doesn't want to break a nail, racist
  jokes about own group

12
Social Problems Created byRacism and Sexism

• Ineffective use of Abilities - How many more
  doctors, scientists, astronauts etc., that we
  could have without racism/sexism
• Adverse Impact on National Income - Denying
  people to make money reduces total taxes paid.
  That purchasing power creates a need for more
  goods which equates to more jobs.

13
Social Problems Created byRacism and Sexism

• Deviant Behavior Acted Out
• Inner group Tensions in Community
• Adverse Impact on U.S. in World Affairs - How can
  America criticize or sanction another country for
  Human Rights Violations, when the same thing is
  happening in our country

14
Strategies for CombatingRacism and Sexism

• Awareness
• Nothing is likely to totally eradicate racism and
  sexism
• We must be aware that the potential for both
  exist
• Make a conscious effort to look for these
  problems
• Education
• People must recognize behaviors related to racism
  and sexism
• Reflect and check on their own behaviors and
  attitudes

15
Strategies for Combating Racism and Sexism

• Legislation
• Laws of the land
• Unit policies and standards
• Make it known that we dont except that behavior
• Participation
• Taking part in activities in which you would mix
  with other cultures and races
• Self-Analyze
• One of the hardest things to do is, Be Honest
  with Yourself
• Acknowledge that we harbor feelings about other
  groups
• Figure out how to overcome these attitudes and
  beliefs

16
Strategies for CombatingRacism and Sexism

• Acknowledge and Understand Differences
• Different does not mean BAD
• Simply accept that we are different
• Look for similarities rather than differences
• Commanders Responsibilities
• Commander is responsible for the EO program
• Commanders need to know of incidents of racism
  and sexism in order to take action

17
Summary

• Defined Racism and Sexism
• Identified factors in development of racism and
  sexism
• Discussed relationship of power bases
• Identified examples of racist and sexist
  behaviors
• Addressed strategies for combating racism and
  sexism

18

• ??????QUESTIONS?????